On his last day as Redruth head Coach Nigel Hambly was pleased with a brave and committed performance from his side against the runaway league champions Esher in their own backyard, despite going down 29-5.

"Our guys showed plenty of fight and plenty of desire and they have done the red shirt proud," Hambly said. "We pushed them all the way – 12-5 at half-time was a fair reflection, they had more territory.

"In the second half we could not get our hands on the ball. It is tough away from home, we did not get many calls go our way. That is the way it is, you have got to suck it up and get on with it.

"Esher showed why they are the best team in the league, they turned the screw and kept the pressure on, they did not let us get out."

Cornwall skipper Mark Richards made a surprise return to a patched-up Redruth team hit by injuries. The Reds with recalled loan players Greg Goodfellow and Herbie Stupple were under the cosh from the kick-off as James Copsey ran in a well-executed try in the opening minute.

Full-back Jonny Hylton ran in a second try after 12 minutes that Sam Ulph converted, and the champions were scoring at a point a minute as things looked ominous for the Reds on a warm day on a fast track.

Popular skipper Darren Jacques started the Redruth comeback, forcing his way over for a try on 19 minutes after good work by Damien Cook and Will Penney.

Esher were looking to play expansive rugby but the Redruth defence fronted up, cutting down space with Nathan Pedley making some important tackles on danger man Seb Jewell.

Resuming after the interval with a slender 12-5 advantage Esher changed their approach playing through their forwards to keep Redruth penned in their own 22 for long periods.

The Reds' defence was resolute but Shawn Renwick spun out of a couple of tackles to touch down a try from a five-metre scrum that Ulph converted.

Esher continued to apply pressure but Redruth played with good spirit and heart, Mark Bright, Matt Gidlow and Peter Joyce always in the thick of the action.

The pressure told on the Reds as referee Ross Campbell sent Cook to the sin-bin for coming in at the side of a driving maul yards from the line as Esher continued to grind Redruth down, it was not pretty rugby but the pride the players were showing in the red shirt was evident in the scrambling defence.

Esher skipper David Slemen cashed in on the man advantage to ghost through the defence for his side's fourth try.

Redruth had a couple of chances but lacked the patience and precision against a good side and three minutes from time Slemen slipped through for his second try.

"It is my last game, I'm pretty emotional right now," Hambly said afterwards. "I wished them all the best for the future in rugby and their life – that they carry it on and give it their best shot. "I've always been really proud and it is a massive honour for me to coach Redruth. Today has been emotional."

Esher: J Hylton; S Ulph, T Loizides, S Jewell, J Copsey (N Taylor h-t); D Slemen, G Cowley (A Garner 62); D Millard, K Corrigan (J Campbell 62), D Fraizer (H Watney 68), R Anderson (S Stitcher 19-26), P Barker, S Gaynor, J Tubasei, S Renwick.

Scorers: Tries – Slemen (2), Copsey, Hylton, Renwick; Conversions – Ulph (2)

Redruth: A Winnan; L Vinnicombe (M Bowden 62), C Bonds, N Pedley (S Kenward 55), N Simmons; A Kevern, M Richards; D Jacques (Capt) (T Cowan-Dickie 29-56), R Brown, P Joyce, D Cook, W Penney (W Davey 57), T Duncan, M Gidlow ( J Morgan 64), M Bright.

Scorer: Try – Jacques

Yellow Card: Cook.

Referee: Ross Campbell (RFU).

Attendance: 772.